New names for GitLab self-hosted pricing tiers

At GitLab, iteration is one of our core values. We’ve recently iterated on the names of our self-hosted pricing tiers, so Marcia and I got together and wrote this post to catch you up on the current options. We’ll explain each tier, and share how to figure out which features your subscription gives you access to.

GitLab EE grants you access to features by installing a license key. You can also install GitLab EE and run it for free without a license key which will give you access to the same features as CE. This makes it easier to upgrade later on.

Subscription model

GitLab Core contains all of the open source features of GitLab. Whether you are running GitLab CE or GitLab EE without a license key, you'll get access to the same Core features. The proprietary features of EE are unlocked by purchasing a license key.

Tiers are additive:

Starter contains all the features of Core

Premium contains all the features of Starter and Core

Ultimate contains all of the features of Premium, Starter, and Core

Examples

Consider a user of GitLab Premium who wants to contribute to a given feature present in GitLab Core, e.g. Issue Boards. The code is submitted to the CE repo, therefore, it's open source code. The master branch of GitLab CE is then merged into GitLab EE. The CE code will be available to this Premium user in the next release.

Consider a user of GitLab Premium who wants to contribute to a given feature present only in Premium, e.g., Geo. The code is submitted directly to the EE repo, therefore, it's proprietary. The same is valid for Starter and Ultimate features.

Use cases

GitLab self-hosted use cases

I installed GitLab CE: I’m a Core user. I have access to Core features. The software I’m using is 100 percent open source.

I installed GitLab EE: the software I’m using is open core- it includes both open source and proprietary code.

I don't have a subscription: I have access to Core features.

I have a Starter subscription: I have access to Starter features.

I have a Premium subscription: I have access to Premium features.

I have an Ultimate subscription: I have access to Ultimate features.

I have a trial installation: I installed GitLab EE, and I’m an Ultimate user during the valid period of the trial. If the trial period expires and I don’t get a paid subscription (Starter, Premium, or Ultimate), I’ll become a Core user, with access to Core features.

GitLab.com use cases

I use GitLab.com, a huge installation of GitLab EE. I’m using proprietary software.

I don’t have access to administration features as GitLab.com is administered by GitLab, Inc.

Subscriptions:

I have a Bronze subscription: my private projects get access to Bronze features. My public projects get access to Gold features.

I have a Silver subscription: my private projects get access to Silver features. My public projects get access to Gold features.

I have a Gold subscription: my private projects get access to Gold features, as well as my public projects.